Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-03-31
THE MURDERER GRAVES.
ne admits That He Killed the Game
"ardens, but Claims That He Acted
In Sell Defense - Graves, TaIkat;xe
Cousin Gave Him Away.


BANGOR, March 80.
Inc nrst information regarding Crave,
Whereabouts came in this wise. Grave.
wrote to his cousins, Abe and Joe Pennev of
oiifton' In this State, and they drove to Han.
Geek to inform the family. Club" Penney.
another cousin and talkative fellow, let the
'hing out accidentally in the presence of a
Bangor man, who informed Commissioners
Stilwell and Game Warden Allen.
since the news of the capture OF Graves
was received yesterday forenoon, everybody
has been enqnring how his hiding place was
was discovered and the circumstances which
led TO bis arrest
One day, on the week of the murder, when
Onlcer Allen was down to Hancock, he
quietly inquired about Graves's friends and
relatives, as he reasoned that if the man ga
capped he would doubtless communicate with
them and not write directly home He had
no difficulty IN Obtaining the desired informa-
ton and probably got the names of everv
relative and Immediate friend of the murder
er Everything came out as Mr.. Allen de-
sired. He kept quiet about the matter and
employed men in various places to watch
parties whose names were on the list.
The watch was not made in vain for we
are told that in about three months after
Graves went away, one day letter came to a
man named Pennell in Clifton, cousin to
Graves. 1t bore the postmark of Oakland,
Cal very plainly printed. Pennell was OBJ
served to take his team very soon after re-
ceiving it and start for Hancock where the
murderer lived. He was followed and
tracked directly to Graves home. Then
through other parties, it is said, Officer Allen
was told of the entire contents of the letter.
Before it could be destroyed it was read in
the house by people employed by Mr.. Allen.
Graves wrote that he was in Oakland and
in good health. He told the cousin to go to
his family and tell them to cheer up for he
was all right, He said that he should proba,
bly, go in the woods during the winter and
mad no idea that he would be bothered. The
letter was of moderate length and all cut up
into short sentences. The name Graves did
not occur in it at all, nor was it signed, but
no one would have any difficulty in telling
who it was from. In closing it he said that
if they wrote him to direct simply to John T.
Smith, Olkland, Cal. 1t is not known that
any other letter was ever received from the
man. It's known that letter was sent to
him from this city, mailed by one of his peo
pie who came up here to do it, and it is also
thought that package went to him from
here either by mail or express. Both OF
these got away before the officers learned
about them.
Some days ago it commenced to be noised
around in Hancock that Graves was in Cali
farnia. 1t seems that it leaked out by means
of some of the female portion of the CON-
munty, and spread like wild fire. No two
seemed to have the story alike and nothing
could be learned there that was at all defin-
ite. When Officer Allen learned that Graves
was in Oakland, and had that fact definitely
settled, he communicated it to Marshal
Whitney and Commissioner Stilwell and
they held consultation as to what should
be done They thought the best way to
Oakland at once. Then the expense matter
came up. Commissioner Stilwell could not
use the money in his department for it and
Officer Allen did not care to take the expense
as the reward offered would not cover it. So
Commissioner Stlweil and Officer Allen
went to Augusta to place the matter before
the governor and attorney general. 1t so
happened that the governor was in Bath that
day and the attorney general in Augusta, so
the trip amounted to nothing.
Several days afterwards Mr.. Stilwell was
in Augusta on business and saw the Govern
or and told him all about the affair, and OFF,
Ger Aliens connection with it. January 30th
Attorney General Baker wrote Officer Allen
TO send everything he knew about 1t to the
governor with full information as how to
proceed in capturing Graves. This was rath-
or toe plain manner to ask for info nation
in writing, and Mr.. Allen replied that he
could explain the matter in person much bet
tor and would come to Augusta at his own
expense and on any day that the governor
might designate for the purpose of fully an
sweriug these questions. To this letter Mr..
Allen never received reply, and it was evil
dent that they did not desire to press the in
vestigaton further.
When Officer Allen found that the State
would do nothing he determined to press the
n,a,ter. with Marshal Whitney's aid and CO.
oneration, as far as possible. So the two
commenced, and their plans were so perfect
" and carefully made that the arrest has been
made through their efforts. They wrote Mar
shal Whitney's cousin so plainly that he
could not help finding the man. They heard
nothing until yesterday, but knew that the
work was going on just the same.
More information is being received about
c-oves and it is, without doubt, very nearly
roo, II seems that he has sister about
b;s own size and it is thought that he used
hor c,ethes. 1t is said that after stay OF
three DAYS in the woods near his house, he
come ont and had talk with his family,
uere he cut his beard and shaved himself
closely. This puts an end to the story con-
corning the Orland barber. When he passed
,broueh Bangor he was closely veiled and
easily passed for woman. He had gotten